Cold Turkey June

Good morning all!

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was starting a spending ban for the entire of June, absolutely no spending whatsoever, so I thought I'd tell you how i was getting on so far and what I'm lusting after!

I feel that as I only have 3 posts to write a week it would be a waste to write about it weekly so every few weeks I'll give an update. I'm hoping to continue the ban further than June but at the rate my wishlist is increasing I'm not so sure that will be achievable!! Maybe I'll give myself a limit to spend at the end of June, and restart it again for July?!

I've so far not bought any cosmetics or products of any kind, so firstly lets congratulate me on that amazing feat! I'm actually enjoying using up my stash as I'm finding lots of half finished things that I can easily finish and get rid of, which is ultimately giving me more space that I desperately need.

I have however had to buy a few extra clothes for work, I did buy some initially that I thought would tide me over for a couple of months until I could justify buying more. But unfortunately as the lab is hot, long sleeved tops are out on account of having to wear lab coats, and vests aren't allowed cos of the whole bare shoulders/cleavage thing.

Sooooo I had to hot foot it into town and pick up some more tshirts that are acceptable in the work place.

The top 3 are all from New Look, and I managed to get them all for £5 when they had a 'Tshirts for £5' day and then student discount so that was pretty good!

The stripy tshirt is from Dorothy Perkins where I also picked up a black and white leopard print tshirt too, both were £10 and I got my 15% student discount too. So although I technically broke my 'no spending' rule it was pretty important to have clothes for work and I didn't stretch that out too far!

Obviously having been shopping I saw a massive amount of stuff that I want....siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.

Most importantly, I need some new trainers for the gym and I've also got my eyes on some Supra type trainers.

I've got my eye on a specific pair in particular that I'm sure you will have seen, but here's a photo collage of what I'm lusting after at the moment!

(none of these images are my own obviously! Otherwise they wouldn't be on my wishlist...but if you click on them it will take you to the original link, mostly from google)

Mmmm pink Nikes!!

Infamous Illamasqua Maneater lipstick, saw it, tried it, loved it, need it.

Antipodes Manuka Honey Mask, love in a product!

Naked 2, the only palette I'm missing from the Naked collection.

This is actually my image! Origins Make a Difference Gel really did make a difference, it's high on my wishlist again as a definite repurchase.

This is OPI Bond Girls Liquid Sand in Jinx, just look at that beautiful coral with gold shimmer. I have the miniature version which is not going to last at all, I need the full one!

I am hoping my American friend will be able to send me one over as a gift...but not too sure now the international rules have changed.

 

 

Following on from the OPI theme, I am still lusting after these 5 polishes from their Bond range back around Christmas. I need to get my hands on Moonraker, Die Another Day, Live and Let Die, Casino Royale and You Only Live Twice.

These have been on my list for so long that at the end of this month I think I'll have to purchase them just for sanity reasons!

What are you guys lusting after at the moment?

My brain has suddenly gone crazy lusting after everything I can't have.

I have £15 of Debenhams Beauty points to use by the end of this month....would you buy the Illamasqua Maneater lipstick, or the pricier Urban Decay Naked 2 palette?
I need somebody to decide for me!!!


Here's hoping that going 'Cold Turkey' will mean I can pay off my credit card bills and start afresh.

L xxx

NOTD: China Glaze - Flip Flop Fantasy

I don't know about you but I am a massive fan of brights nails for spring and summer.

Mostly I've worn pinks over the past few years but recently orange has made an appearance in my life, particularly neons!

Cue this beauty:

Flip Flop Fantasy (phew what a load of F's!) is a super popular nail polish from one of our favourite nail brands China Glaze. It is from their Spring/Summer 2012 range so has been out for a year but I was obviously way behind with this. 

Admittedly it applies a little streaky on the first coat, but the second seems to combat this 9 times out of ten, and once you've got the application right 2 coats is the perfect amount for this.

It's so beautifully bright but also complimentary for any skin tone I think.

I picked this up from Amazon for around £7 which is a pretty good price. Considering how wearable the colour is I'm going to bet that this will be my number one choice for summer!

The texture is so creamy it just looks amazing, a pastel neon is the only way I can describe it!

I love China Glaze not only for their beautiful colours but also that their polishes don't contain Toluene, DBP or added Formaldehyde and any chemical nasties removed is an added bonus!

I just wish they were easier to get a hold of in the UK!

What do you think of this colour? Are you a China Glaze fan?

L xxx

The Lipstick Tag

Hi all!

I saw this tag the other day on The Lipstick Blog and fancied filling it in as it seemed fun and a bit different to other ones I've done before. Her blog is great and makes my lipstick wishlist sooooooooo long! So check it out and complete this tag too!

How many lipsticks do you own?

I just had a quick count and came to 39, so I'm gonna say probably 45 as there must be a few lurking around. This includes glosses and lip butter type products too.

What was your first ever lipstick?

I'm not really sure to be honest. In my view as I only started collecting them just over a year ago I'm going to  go with my first MAC one as that's really where the obsession began! I bought both Russian Red and Creme Cup at the same time.

What is your most worn lipstick?

I can't even fathom the answer to this. It really depends on what I'm doing! I tend to wear 17's Beehive during the day for work, pinks such as MAC's Insanely It and my favourite red is MAC's Russian Red for going out.

What is your favourite brand for lipstick?

MAC would probably be my impulse answer, but Revlon lip butters feature quite often in my handbags too.

What is your favourite finish?

I tend to like hydrating lipsticks, so MAC's Creme Sheen probably fits the bill or Sheen Supreme! 

What was the last lip product you bought?

I think it was Maybelline's Shockingly Coral or it could be MAC's Sunny Seoul, they were bought too close together...

How many lip products do you currently have in your handbag? (Including balms and glosses)

Haaaa, currently 2, but only because I swapped bags! Before I had 9...oops! Me and M both love doing 'Lipstick Lucky Dip' and picking a colour by rummaging around in your handbag without looking!

What lipstick do you use to rock a red lip?

My all time fave is MAC's Russian Red. One of my firsts which I'll never forget! ;)

How do you store your lipsticks?

I have them in a box with drawers, they currently fill the bottom drawer with some room, which will obviously be filled soon!

What lip products are you currently lusting after?

I always lust after MAC lipsticks but I'd love to own a Chanel or YSL one too, maybe in the future! I've also got my eye on a Laura Mercier one too!

Hope you enjoyed this tag, I had fun filling it out and realising I need to use what I've got more!!

Let me know if you do the tag as well and link it in the comments :)


L xxx

Review: Avon Infinitize Mascara

I'm a huge mascara addict. I have loads of them. As soon as a new one comes out I want it. Usually I'm a fan of a huge brush and not a fan of plastic brushes. I just find they don't do as good a job. When Avon have new mascaras I usually get them.

The latest Avon Mascara is Infinitize mascara. It comes in a bright orange tube so will definitely stand out in your make up bag.

What they say.

Contains lash sculpting, lengthening fibres and curling molecule to help shape and set lash curve and length for 24 hours.

This mascara is a do all mascara. I find it really separates the lashes well while lifting them and adding volume. It really does last too. It says it contains fibres but I haven't found this to be a problem as some fibre mascaras can irritate the eyes. I found this mascara really comfy to wear.

This has a brush different to any I've used before. This is a really big brush and is a plastic one. It has three balls that make up the wand. I really like the size of the brush. As I mentioned above I love big brushes. I was worried the brush would be hard to use and messy but I was soon proved wrong.

The brush does remind me of They're Real in some ways as it does have bristles at the tip to help get all the small lashes. The shape of the brush really helps to lift the lashes and ensures quick easy application!

Here are my lashes pre mascara. I have very fair lashes. They have a slight curl to them naturally.

After one coat. You can really see the lengthening effect of this mascara on my bottom lashes. I love how it separates them and lengthens with no clumping.

Again with one coat you can see it's added some soft volume to my upper lashes as well as separating and lengthening. It gives a natural full effect to the lashes and is great for everyday where.

After two coats. Since taking these pictures this has become my most reached for mascara and I find I prefer the results of only one coat. I find on two the lashes are too thick for my taste.

Just released I've got one massive pout going on here! Oops. As mentioned above I prefer this mascara after one coat. I've very fussy with mascara and usually end up using two or 3 different mascaras to achieve the result I love. I'm so impressed with this mascara and love that I can pop on one coat and get the result I want which is perfect for mornings before work when I'm feeling tired.

The large brush has meant I did get mascara on my nose at first but haven't had a problem with it since.

I can see this staying a firm everyday favourite with me. It's definitely over taken They're Real for me. To me it achieves similar results, lasts all day without flaking, is easier to remover and cheaper!!

If you like the sound of this if you order soon it's only £4.99 at the moment. Normal retail price is £10. Avon regularly have great offers though. I have this in shade black but as I use it for everyday I'm thinking of getting the brown/black too as I'm preferring softer make up for everyday.

Does this sound like a mascara you'd like?

Love M

xxx